MIAMI -- With the 2022 season in the rearview mirror, the Marlins have begun the search for Don Mattingly's successor as the franchise's 16th manager. General manager Kim Ng confirmed on Friday morning that the organization is in the process of scheduling interviews.

"Some of the candidates are involved in the postseason," Ng said. "Obviously, it's an exciting time for them, and we have to work around that schedule, and we're trying to be very mindful and very respectful of those candidates and their teams. But at the same time, we're trying to proceed as quickly as we can as well."

The Marlins are one of at least four Major League managerial openings this offseason. Possible candidates range from Astros bench coach and former Marlins coach Joe Espada to Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro.

Finding a new manager isn't the only item on the to-do list. The Marlins also started restructuring the baseball operations side last week. In order to improve upon a 93-loss campaign, they will look into the free-agent and trade markets during Hot Stove season. So what would make Miami an appealing destination compared to other organizations?

"I think there are a number of different factors," Ng said. "No. 1, our pitching staff clearly is something that people look quite a bit to. I know and I've heard from other clubs, they're happy when they're done playing against us. When we're bringing out the arms that we are on a fairly regular basis when healthy, we are trouble for people. So, I think that's probably No. 1 on the list. I think in terms of what we've got going down here in Miami location wise, I think this is a destination spot. I know a lot of players like to live down here. It's got a pretty rich history. I think that's attractive to players, and coaches, managers.

"I think people will look at our farm system. While it's taken a bit of a hit because we've promoted some players, I do think it's one of the more competitive farm systems around. So I do think that there are a number of things that we've got to look forward to. If I was a manager, if I was staff looking at our situation, I'd look at our [64] one-run games that we played over the course of 162 -- that's about 40 percent -- and think to myself, 'How can I convert some of those one-run losses?' I do think that we have talent to work with. I think this is a desirable location, and I think we've got a pretty decent farm system. So I think those are all key ingredients when people are looking at us."

Ng went on to say that the future of Mattingly's staff, in particular pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr., has taken a back seat for now. Stottlemyre, who has an expiring contract that "will get resolved at some point," just finished his fourth season with the club.

Miami's pitching staff ranked 15th in the Majors in fWAR, with the starters boasting the 12th-best mark. All but two teams with a higher total than the Marlins reached the postseason in 2022.

"I would say right now our focus is really on the managerial search, and making sure that we proceed as quickly as we can on that front," Ng said. "In terms of checking on the players, like I said, we had the individual player meetings before they checked out. I think everybody's going to take a little bit of a break here, and then hopefully we have those player plans and what was given to the players, so when we get a new coaching staff in, I know that those guys want to make sure that they get to know the players, and they'll be given the plans and will be able to talk to them."